Under-21 Report: Republic of Ireland 1-0 Sweden

The Boys in Green moved within four points of their Swedish counterparts as a last-minute Ollie O’Neill winner provided Jim Crawford’s side a fighting chance to qualify for their first ever European Championships.

A wonderful through ball from captain Conor Coventry was controlled well by O’Neill who cut inside and powered a low effort beyond the Swedish goalkeeper.

A quick four-day turnaround meant that time on the training ground was limited, however improvements had been made especially in the attacking third as Ireland looked more of a threat here than they did against Italy.

Skipper Coventry and Bournemouth midfielder Gavin Kilkenny occupied two deep lying positions and grew into the game as the first half went on. Coventry found Ross Tierney in behind with a great diagonal pass which saw both Tierney and JJ Kayode go down in the box under Swedish challenges, no penalties were given.

Crawford has picked three different strikers in the last three games, with Colm Whelan, JJ Kayode and Evan Ferguson all being given the nod. Rotherham striker Kayode was given the role once more as Ireland look to secure a much needed three points.

Will Smallbone, Tierney and Tyreik Wright played behind Kayode and combined well at times. Tierney was especially good at picking up second balls and running in behind.

The opening exchanges were a tepid affair, both teams keeping the ball but failing to create anything of note in an attacking sense.

It took until the 18^th minute until either goalkeeper was tested, Rami Al Hajj played a one-two with Amin Sarr before dribbling past Jake O’Brien and powering a left footed effort which Brian Maher punched behind.

Just three minutes later, Manchester United youngster Anthony Elanga powered beyond Lee O’Connor before going down under a sprawling challenge from the Irish right back, but referee Peter Kralovic waved away the protests.

Ireland grew into the game gradually aided by Gavin Kilkenny and Conor Coventry who occupied the double pivot in midfield. Coventry found Ross Tierney in behind with a great diagonal pass which saw both Tierney and JJ Kayode go down in the box under Swedish challenges, no penalties were awarded.

With just seven minutes before the halftime break, the Boys in Green created their best chance of the half. After some good build-up play at the back, Maher sprung O’Connor beyond the Swedish high press. Will Smallbone received the ball from O’Connor before delivering a wicked cross that Tierney could not get his knee over it and divert the ball home on the half volley from twelve yards.

Ireland started the second period well, O’Connor kept driving forward from the full-back position as Elanga failed to track his incessant running.

Will Ferry was introduced for Tierney, and it nearly had the desired impact, as Smallbone set the winger away down the right. The Crawley Town loanee just could not sort out his feet and was blocked by the retreating Swedish defender.

This could well be Sweden head coach Poya Asbaghi’s last game. He is the bookmaker’s favourite to be the next Barnsley boss. Asbaghi realised the problems O’Connor was causing down the right, so he pushed Elanga through the middle and put Paulos Abraham on the right.

However, Ireland continued to cause problems down this flank, Ferry smashed over with just under ten minutes remaining.

The big chance for the home side finally came in the 82^nd minute. Wright had the goal at his mercy following a Coventry effort which deflected into his path, but the Salford City winger mishit his effort allowing Swedish goalkeeper Samuel Brolin scramble across his goal to save.

The Swedes continued to be a threat on the counterattack, Maher came out excellently to snuff out an attack, controlling on the volley before flicking the ball over a Swedish head with supreme confidence.

The Bray Wanderers goalkeeper’s calmness under pressure seemed to spread to his teammates. Ireland continued to probe for the winner as the clock ticked towards the ninety.

Conor Noß thundered an effort from a tight angle which tested the wrists of Brolin as the home crowd grew louder in anticipation of an Irish onslaught.

Substitute Evan Ferguson dragged an effort wide across goal before Ollie O’Neill proved the matchwinner with the last kick of the game, sending the crowd of 1,535 into delirium.

The next international window in March for this group of Under-21s will be pivotal as Ireland travel to Sweden who will more than likely be the side that will battle it out for second place in the group.

Ireland U21: Brian Maher (GK); Lee O’Connor, Jake O’Brien, Mark McGuinness, Joel Bagan; Gavin Kilkenny, Conor Coventry (C), Will Smallbone (Conor Noss 84); Ross Tierney (Will Ferry 68), Tyreik Wright (Ollie O’Neill 84); Joshua ‘JJ’ Kayode (Evan Ferguson 76)

Subs not used: David Odumosu (GK), Oisin McEntee, William Hondemarck, Colm Whelan, Dawson Devoy

Yellow card: Jake O’Brien (46)

Sweden U21: Samuel Brolin (GK); Emil Holm, Aiham Ousou (C), Pavle Vagi?, Daniel Svensson; Carl Gustafsson (Daniel Edvardsson 85), Bilal Hussein; Patrick Wålemark (Benjamin Nygren 68), Rami Al Hajj (Tim Prica 79), Anthony Elanga; Amin Sarr (Paulos Abraham 68)

Subs not used: Oliver Dovin (GK), Ali Hussein, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Jesper Tolinsson, Oliver Zandén, Erik Ring,

Yellow card: Emil Holm (52)

Referee: Peter Kralovic (Slovakia)

Attendance: 1,535

Extratime.com man of the match: Lee O’Connor (Ireland)